Ed Sheeran, Macklemore and Robert Kraft caught in concert dispute

Billionaire businessman Robert Kraft has confirmed that he objected to rapper Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium during Ed Sheeran's upcoming US tour, after Macklemore delivered a pro-Palestinian speech at a recent concert.

Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, said allowing Macklemore to perform at the venue would cross a line because of what he described as the rapper's broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.

Macklemore had been scheduled to perform as an opening act for Sheeran during the US leg of his tour.

Sheeran has denied being responsible for removing Macklemore from the tour, saying the decision was ultimately made by promoters and venues.

Who is Robert Kraft?

Robert Kraft is a Jewish American billionaire and the owner of the New England Patriots American football team and Gillette Stadium.

He grew up in Massachusetts in an observant Orthodox Jewish household. Forbes estimates his wealth at more than $13 billion.

Kraft has been a prominent supporter of Jewish and Israeli causes. He funded the "Stand Up to Jewish Hate" campaign with more than $20 million and has publicly spoken about combating antisemitism.

In 2019, Kraft received the Genesis Prize, an award recognising professional achievement and contributions to humanity and the Jewish community. At the ceremony, then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Kraft as a close friend of Israel.

Kraft has also taken prominent American athletes to Israel, including former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

In recent years, Kraft has become increasingly outspoken about antisemitism and issues affecting Jewish communities.

His name was also mentioned in connection with reporting about Jeffrey Epstein earlier this year. In 2019, Kraft was charged with soliciting prostitution in Florida. The charges were dropped in 2020.

How did the Macklemore controversy begin?

The dispute escalated after Macklemore performed at a Sheeran concert at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month.

During his performance, Macklemore spoke about the conflict in the Middle East and expressed support for Palestinians.

"The people all the way in Gaza to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten about them," he said, before calling for freedom for Palestine and Lebanon, as well as several other countries and regions.

The comments prompted criticism, including from the Israeli-American Council, which launched a petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from the tour.

Macklemore subsequently defended his remarks and his performance of "Hind's Hall", a song about the war in Gaza and the death of five-year-old Hind Rajab.

He said that supporting equal treatment for all people should not be controversial.

Why did Robert Kraft become involved?

Macklemore later said on Instagram that Sheeran had told him Kraft objected to his appearance at Gillette Stadium.

Macklemore also alleged that Kraft had contacted other stadium owners and that venues had effectively given Sheeran an ultimatum over whether the rapper could remain on the tour.

Kraft's public statement did not address the allegation that he had lobbied other stadium owners.

Instead, he defended his opposition to Macklemore appearing at his stadium and said he would be willing to meet with the rapper personally.

Kraft said the decision was not intended to diminish Palestinian suffering or prevent people from advocating for Palestinians.

He argued, however, that such advocacy should not come at the expense of Jewish people or overlook Hamas and its role in the conflict.

What has Ed Sheeran said?

Sheeran addressed the controversy on Instagram, saying he was distressed by the suffering caused by the Israel-Palestine conflict.

He said Macklemore had asked to join his tour the previous year and that he agreed because he respected him as an artist.

Sheeran said his support acts were generally free to choose their own setlists.

However, he said venues scheduled to host upcoming concerts had informed him that they would withdraw from the shows if Macklemore remained part of the tour.

According to Sheeran, the venues' concerns related to the way Macklemore had delivered part of his political message at the New Jersey concerts.

Sheeran said he had spent the week speaking with venues and others involved in the dispute in an attempt to find a solution. He confirmed that Kraft was among those with whom he spoke.

He also said he had been involved in discussions with promoters and activists on different sides of the issue.

Ultimately, Sheeran said, the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter rather than by him.

He added that Macklemore's contract was with the promoter and that he did not want to abandon fans who had made plans to attend the concerts or the touring musicians and crew members who depended on the shows for their livelihoods.

The dispute has highlighted the tensions that can arise when performers use major concert stages to address highly contested political issues, particularly when venues and promoters have differing views about what can be presented at their events.